Peptide

Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) described as an analogue of tuftsin. It is studied as an anxiolytic. In Russian clinical studies of generalised anxiety and related disorders, it matched the benzodiazepine medazepam on anxiety, and adding it to phenazepam reduced phenazepam's side effects. Proposed mechanisms include slowing enkephalin breakdown and modulating GABA-A receptors.

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro), an analogue of the ACTH(4-10) fragment of the hormone ACTH, given as a nasal spray. It is used in acute stroke therapy. In rats it raises BDNF and its receptor in the brain. Almost all of its clinical research is published in Russian, and the human studies are small and mostly unblinded.